Vehicle end-gate



(No Model.)

0. ZWEIG. A

VEHIOLB'END GATE. v

No. 548,692. v Patented 001;. 29, 1 895.

UN HE is: STATES CHARLES ZWEIG, OF GENTRALIA, ILLINOIS.

VEHICLE EN D-GATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 548,692, dated October 29, 1895. ldpplioatiou filed March 30, 1895- Serial No. 543,325- (N'o model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES ZWEIG a citizen of the United States, residing at Contra-- lia, in the county of Marion and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle End-Gates, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawlngs.

My invention relates to end-gates for vehicles, and more particularly described is a device for the opening and closing of the same with a single motion of'the hand.

In describing my invention I will make use of the accompanying drawings, in all of which the same numeral will duly represent the same part.

Figure .1 represents a portion of the rear end of a vehicle-bed or wagon-box shown in perspective and to which my invention is applied. Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a corner of Fig. 1, also shown in perspective, in which another form of my de vice is illustrated, all of which will be hereinafter fully explained and described.

In the figures, 1 represents the end-gate of a wagon-box 2, to which it is hinged by hinges 3 3 and retained in a closed position by spring-clips; 4, held in place by guide-irons5 5 and impinging upon platestl 6. In contact with the sloping cheek 7 of the clips 4 is the beveled end'8 of the lever-bar 9, whichis midway pivoted in the bifurcated bracket-iron 10 by pivot 11. The free end ofboth lever-bars 9 are journaled or hinged to the link-bar 12 by pin 13. The link-bar 12 has located hand-hold portion 14.

a centrally- It is found necessary in practice that the hinging of the lever-bar 9 to link-bar 12 must be such as to permit some lateral play in the joint, the necessity for this being easily understood with reference to the operation of the device, as hereinafter described Having thus described my invention,its operation is easily seen to be as follows: By drawing outward or away from the gate the hand-hold 14: the end 8 of the lever-bar 9 is pressed upon the cheek 7 of clips 4, and the said clips pressed outward till they disengage the plates 6 and release the end-gate 1. As the applied pressure is in the proper line to open the end-gate, it opens outward as soon as released. Upon' being closed the clips 4 immediately spring to the their seats and fasten the gate.

The form of my invention shown in Fig. 3 embodies the same principles, the clip 4 being pressed upward by a vertical slope on the end 8 of the lever-bar 9.

Having thus fully described and shown the operation of my invention, I desire to secure by. Letters Patent matter as follows:

In combination with a vehicle bed and hinged end-gate, an end-gate fastener comprising spring-clips, pivoted levers impinging upon said clips and releasing same, and a hand-bar or link hinged to said levers and actuating same, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES ZWEIG.

Witnesses:

JACOB J. REIOHENBACH,

JAMES BROWN. 

